An acrobatic troupe in Taiwan called New Heart Theater is helping young people with developmental disabilities explore their artistic and physical potential.
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00:00Get ready. One, two, three.
00:05One line. One line.
00:08Kicking off with a firm thrust.
00:10These unicyclers in blue uniforms are members of the new Heart Theatre troupe.
00:15Eagle is the oldest. He turned 28 this year,
00:18but doctors say he has the brain of a 13-year-old due to developmental disability.
00:23He's been training on the unicycle for seven years.
00:26The unicycle is more difficult.
00:29Because some movements are difficult to learn.
00:32The unicycle relies on your waist.
00:34And you need a good sense of balance.
00:36Parents of some younger members with autism and ADHD
00:40are beginning to see changes in how their kids behave.
00:43When I went to perform at the Heart Theatre,
00:46a little girl came up to me and asked if she could take a picture with Xiao Hua.
00:51Xiao Hua agreed to take a picture with the little girl.
00:54It was very unexpected.
00:56A lot has changed.
00:57Today, I'm going to do a test.
00:59I hope she will be more focused on what to do.
01:03She will understand this.
01:11The troupe has taken part in several competitions
01:14to show off their progress after months and years of practice.
01:17At his first talent contest, Eagle placed second in the physical category,
01:21impressing the audience and the judges.
01:34Despite their innate challenges,
01:36they are some gifted acrobats in the troupe.
01:38With a little bit of training and love,
01:40founder and coach Wang Guanghua says these diamonds in the rough will shine
01:44and be capable of playing a full role in society.
01:52They will.
01:53Especially autistic children.
01:54They have a sense of balance.
01:55They are better than normal people.
01:56Their single-seater skills are better than mine.
01:59I want to prove to all parents that
02:02we can work as long as we all work hard.
02:07People with disabilities are often excluded from the workforce
02:10and social circles due to physical and mental impediments.
02:13But the performers from New Heart Theatre Troupe
02:15are living examples of how dedication and support
02:19can make the seemingly impossible come true.
02:21Ryan Wu and Irene Lin for Taiwan Plus.
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